Title: Death in A Major by Sarah Fox
Music Lover’s Mystery Series Book Two
Publisher: Witness Impulse
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 227 pages

Summary:

The new season for the Point Grey Philharmonic starts off on a sour note when one of the symphony’s wealthy benefactors drops dead in the latest Music Lover’s Mystery

DEATH IN A MAJOR

When Archibald Major, local big wig and nasty tyrant, drops dead at a post-concert reception, violinist Midori Bishop soon suspects foul play. Although Midori has no intention of getting involved in another murder investigation, that all changes when Jordan—her violin student and the victim’s grandson—seeks her help convincing the police that the real killer is his uncle, a low-level criminal. As Midori digs into the victim’s life, she discovers that he was a man who created discord at every turn, even within his own family, and there is no shortage of potential suspects. When someone close to Midori unexpectedly confesses to the crime, Midori must race to discover the identity of the true killer before an innocent person goes to jail for a crime they didn’t commit…and before Midori herself becomes a victim in the killer’s deadly encore.

Mr. Major raised his glass. “To beautiful music and …” His eyes roamed over our bodies again. “… to even more beautiful musicians.”

I stifled another gag and managed a weak, insincere smile before sipping at my champagne. I would need something stronger if I was expected to spend much more time with the old sleazebag.

“Evening, ladies, Mr. Major.” Maestro Hans Clausen appeared by my side, a charming smile on his face. “I hope you enjoyed the concert,” he said to Major.

“As always.”

Hans put a hand to the middle of my back as he addressed Major again. “I’m sorry to steal Midori and Mikayla away from you, but I need to have a quick word with them.”

“Of course.” Mr. Major raised his champagne flute to me and Mikayla once more as the maestro ushered us several feet away.

As we came to a stop next to a pedestal displaying a bust of Beethoven, I stepped to the side so the maestro’s hand no longer rested on my back. “You need to speak to us?” I might have sounded suspicious, and I was. What could be so important that it couldn’t wait until another time?

“Actually, no.” Hans flashed his charming smile again. “But I thought you might need rescuing from Mr. Major. He’s known for his … rather inappropriate interest in young, beautiful women.”

“Thank you, Maestro,” Mikayla said. “Much appreciated. He did have the effect of making me feel a desperate need for a thorough shower.” Her eyes drifted to Dave Cyders, one of our bassoonists, where he stood across the room. “Will you excuse me?”

I wanted to grab her arm to hold her there but she was already gone, leaving me alone with the man I’d had a short-lived relationship with the previous spring. Until I’d discovered that he was a jerk and a liar. His good looks and charismatic smile had charmed me in the beginning, but finding out that he was carrying on with Elena at the same time had doused the flames of attraction with icy water.

Since then I’d managed to maintain a professional relationship with him for the sake of my career, but I still wasn’t keen on spending time alone with him. Mikayla knew that full well, and yet she’d abandoned me for her bassoonist boyfriend. I shot a glare at her retreating back before returning my attention to Hans.

“I’m sure we could have handled Mr. Major on our own, but thank you anyway.” I stepped toward the food tables, intending to distance myself from Hans, but he had other ideas.

“Midori.” He put a hand to my elbow to stop me.

I sighed, perhaps somewhat dramatically, and turned back to face him. “I thought you didn’t need to speak with us.”

“Well, no.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, reminding me of how I used to like running my fingers through the blond hair at the base of his skull when we kissed. “But I was hoping to tell you something.”

I waited.

“Elena and I have broken things off. For good this time.”

I blinked at him. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to respond to that. Sorry? Congratulations?”

“I just wanted you to know.”

“I don’t know why.”

It was his turn to sigh, but that didn’t move me, nor did the disappointment in his ice blue eyes.

“I thought we’d come to an agreement,” I said. “Months ago.”

“We did.”

“Then let’s stick to it. Besides, I’m seeing someone.” I didn’t wait around to see his reaction to that news. “Excuse me.”

Relieved to have extracted myself from that conversation, I finally made it over to the food, grumbling to myself in my head as I went. Did Hans expect me to throw myself into his arms? There was no way that would happen. Besides, Elena had once told me that Hans always went back to her. Why would I believe things would be any different this time? Even if their breakup really was final, I’d never go back to someone who’d treated me as Hans had, even if I wanted to. Which I most definitely didn’t. I’d well and truly moved on, and I wished he would do the same.

Pushing thoughts of Hans from my mind and focusing on the enticing spread of food, I bypassed the mini quiches and zeroed in on the colorful petits fours. I selected a chocolate one and took a nibble.

Divine.

I bypassed the mini quiches and zeroed in on the colorful petits fours. I selected a chocolate one and took a nibble.

“Mmm. They are.” She took a second bite before noticing my glare. “What?” she asked once she’d swallowed.

“You totally abandoned me.”

“I did, didn’t I? Sorry.”

“So much for loyalty between stand partners,” I said melodramatically. “Leaving me to suffer in my time of need.”

“I’m sorry,” she said again. “I sensed incoming awkwardness and bolted.” She finished off her petit four. “Are you going to tell me what he said to you?”

I let out a huff, but decided to let her treachery slide. “He wanted to tell me that he and Elena have broken up.” I rolled my eyes. “Did he really think I’d care?”

“Do you?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. You’re much better off with Aaron,” she said, referring to my boyfriend.

I washed down my last bite of cake with a sip of champagne. “I know.” And I did. Aaron was gorgeous and sweet, with a British accent that made my knees weak, and he’d never given me any reason to believe he was anything but genuine. He was worth a hundred Hans Clausens.

“Speaking of Aaron,” Mikayla went on, “when’s he coming back from London?”

“Tomorrow.” The word came out with a heavy sigh.

“Wow. Such enthusiasm.”

I cringed. “I didn’t sound enthusiastic?”

“Um. No.” Mikayla eyed me over her champagne flute as she took a long sip. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

That was the truth. At least, I thought it was. Aaron had spent the last three months in the UK and Europe, touring with his cousin’s band, so I hadn’t seen him in person for what felt like ages. Maybe I was worried that our relationship wouldn’t be quite the same after such a lengthy time apart, but surely such a concern was unfounded. Wasn’t it?

I decided a quick change of subject was in order. “How are things with you and Dave?”

Mikayla had been dating the bassoonist for over four months now.

“Great,” she said. “But you’re changing the subject.”

Darn. I should have known she’d notice.

“We’ll talk later,” I said as I took a step away from her. For some reason that I couldn’t quite pinpoint, the thought of discussing Aaron any further made my stomach twist into knots.

Author Bio

Sarah Fox was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia where she developed a love for mysteries at a young age. When not writing novels or working as a legal writer she is often reading her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her English Springer Spaniel.